Location

Background

Ecosystem approaches have been realized in several research initiatives throughout the last years. There are well-elaborated ecosystem theories, and a variety of methods for ecosystem analysis. But there are only a small number of practical applications in environmental management.

On the other hand, ecosystem concepts and targets have been formulated on high-level political scales. To attain the respective ecosystem management goals in concrete programmes and case studies, scientific support is needed.

This situation can be characterized by a lack of communication between scientists and managers. Therefore, we want to improve the exchange of experience and methodology by bringing together experts from ecosystem science and ecosystem management in a productive atmosphere.